Capturing The Bandit

The final day.

The ball, hosted by my eldest brother and his wife and attended by Tidros’s chief retainers, high-ranking nobles, Crown Prince Arios, and Mail, was held without incident.

As expected, the first dance performed by my eldest brother and his wife was on an entirely different level.

I had never imagined that Yulia, who normally moved around so leisurely, could move with such precision. Their coordination was perfect as well.

After them, Shitoen and I, followed by Crown Prince Arios and Mail, performed our dances.

…Well, I thought we had managed to dance at least “normally.”

I had not stepped on Shitoen’s feet, and neither of us had fallen. There was nothing I could do about how stiff I looked, but taking that into account, I thought it had been my best performance yet.

Most of the applause had gone to Crown Prince Arios and Mail, though…

Well, they were the guests of honor!

The chief retainers must have applauded them out of courtesy!

That was how mature adults behaved!

Afterward, Shitoen was constantly being approached by people asking her to dance.

While listening to reports about security and its progress, I could not relax at all. I had been ready to cut down anyone who tried anything improper with Shitoen, but it seemed there were no such scoundrels in our kingdom.

When the ball finally ended and we saw off the last guest, we left the ballroom and moved to the lounge.

Only then was I finally able to unfasten the buttons of my jacket.

It was unbearably hot because I was wearing protective armor underneath. It was cramped and made moving extremely difficult.

“Good grief.”

The words escaped my lips, and I heard a light laugh beside me. It was Shitoen.

“Thank you for your hard work. We can finally relax.”

Her dancing dress was yellow. Though it was not the right season, she looked just like a mimosa fairy.

“You worked hard too, Shitoen. Listen…”

The gathering would probably end soon.

We could not return to the mansion immediately because of the security arrangements, but there was something I wanted to confirm.

“What is it?”

I hesitated over whether I should tell her as she stared at me with a puzzled expression. Then Shitoen tightly grasped my hand.

“Is this about the dreams you have been having lately? Is there something you wish to tell me?”

Shitoen’s eyes looked anxious.

I made up my mind.

“Yes. It’s about the dreams… or rather, the dragon crest.”

Even though no one else was present, I lowered my voice. Shitoen must not have expected that answer.

“The dragon crest?”

Shitoen repeated the words as though rolling them over her tongue.

Just as I was about to explain, someone entered the room.

When I turned around, Crown Prince Arios and Mail were there.

“Prince Saryu. I am glad nothing happened. You have my thanks.”

Crown Prince Arios looked genuinely relieved as he extended his hand. Apparently, he wanted a handshake.

“No, I should be thanking you. I appreciate you lending us your escort knights for the security detail.”

While shaking his hand, I lightly patted Crown Prince Arios on the back with my other hand. Then he hugged me. Somehow, I felt as though we had become quite close.

Oh, right. How was Mail doing? I glanced toward her…

She was a shadow of her former self.

She looked like a completely different person from when I had met her several days earlier.

Shitoen was saying something to her, but Mail merely kept her head lowered weakly.

Apparently, she had been like this ever since the carriage attack.

Even during the ball earlier, after finishing her dance with Crown Prince Arios, she had said she was tired and spent the entire time sitting against the wall with her maid.

“Crown Prince Arios. Let us go home soon.”

Mail tugged at Crown Prince Arios’s sleeve with an expression that looked ready to burst into tears.

She had probably said the same thing many times already, but Crown Prince Arios remained patient.

“Yes, I want to return soon as well. However, traveling at night would be dangerous. Let us wait until tomorrow morning before departing. You have done very well, Mail.”

Shitoen and I silently exchanged glances.

Apparently, immediately after the carriage attack, Mail had pleaded to return to Luminous, but Crown Prince Arios had repeatedly persuaded her that they should complete their official duties first.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

The next people to enter were my eldest brother, his wife, and the chancellor.

Judging from how they had escorted the guests into the lounge while entertaining them…

Damn. I had hurried over here with Shitoen. Maybe I was supposed to escort Crown Prince Arios here while entertaining him. The thought sent a chill down my spine.

“Crown Prince Arios.”

My eldest brother addressed him. He was probably mindful of Mail, because his tone was unusually gentle.

“We have received word that the additional Luminous knights assigned as escorts crossed the border without incident and are heading toward the royal capital. I am sure Lady Mail will feel reassured once she sees the proud and imposing knights of your kingdom.”

Yulia, escorted by my eldest brother, also nodded encouragingly.

I thought the chancellor standing behind them might say something to encourage Mail, but he merely stared at her without speaking.

“Your Highness Crown Prince Leonias, words cannot express my gratitude for inviting us to such a magnificent ball. Furthermore, thank you for showing such consideration toward Mail.”

Crown Prince Arios offered his thanks politely. He truly seemed like a completely different person from when we had first met.

My eldest brother slowly shook his head.

“Think nothing of it. Let us continue visiting one another like this in the future. You should rest well tonight in preparation for your return home tomorrow.”

“Thank you. Then, if you will excuse us.”

Crown Prince Arios brought his lips close to Mail’s ear and whispered something. Mail gave a small nod. They were apparently going to withdraw.

I was considering escorting them to their guest room when the entrance suddenly became noisy.

I heard tense voices as well, so I signaled Crown Prince Arios and my eldest brother with my eyes not to move and gripped the hilt of my sword.

“Commander, are you here? We have captured a bandit!”

Raul was the one who entered.

Behind him, three members of the order dragged in a man dressed entirely in black whose hands had been bound behind his back.

Roze popped her head out from behind them. Mone was probably there too, but Raul curtly ordered, “Guard the door!” Roze stuck out her tongue before pulling her head back.

“Good grief. Finally.”

I felt the tension leave my shoulders once again.

They had always either escaped or turned up dead until now.

We might finally be able to investigate what was happening within the enemy’s organization.

“Where did you find him?”

“He had slipped in among the ball’s attendees. He was pretending to be an attendant.”

One of the members proudly reported to me. Good, well done. I would give him a monetary reward later.

“Who hired you?”

My eldest brother strode forward and questioned the man, startling me. Hey… you really had no sense of danger.

“Your Highness Crown Prince Leonias, please step back a little. It would be dangerous if anything happened.”

I quickly inserted myself between my eldest brother and the prisoner. At least I was wearing protective armor, and while I could not dance well, I was confident that my martial skills surpassed my eldest brother’s.

“Hey, who hired you? Do we have to torture you before you will speak?”

Raul growled threateningly.

The man in black remained silent.

He said nothing, but…

His gaze slowly shifted.

Everyone instinctively followed it.

And then.

We all looked at the chancellor, where the bandit’s gaze had come to rest.